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I recently purchased a 95 900SEC AUTO w/ 65K
Reading and help from the board prompted me to check the following items specifically related to the V6:
The last timing belt change should have had the new and improved tensioner kit installed. It is worth having someone open things up in the engine to check to make sure this tensioner is in place as it is equally likely that the old style tensioner will fail as the old timing belt itself. The part number at the 96K service will tell you if you have the new tensioner should you have access to that record. I think technically the new kit and belt should be good for 60K but Saab on the other hand will still replace the belt every 30k for free (as long as it is under 100K) so I am not sure what the implication is. A blown V6 engine rebuild from what I have read is $3500 per head + the bottom end so springing for a belt every 30K seems like cheap insurance.
Check the idler pulleys for wobble or other signs of wear in their bearings
Check the serpentine belt for wear.
Check for leaking VC gaskets as the engine is known for this and the oil can contaminate plug wires if pronounced enough.
There is support for MOBIL 1 Synthetic oil accompanied by higher end filters. Some V6 owners have run on Dino and have been successsful. There are differences of opinion regarding use of 5W-30 or 10W-30 so some reading on your part would help you decide. I switched from dino to Mobil 1 10w-30 and use an Amsoil filter. I used Amsoil engine flush when I made the change.
I've concluded that regular maintenance of the engine has paid off for the people who have practiced it so if you can think of something that might be harmful to any engine; old coolant, bad thermostat, poor hoses, bad ignition/injectors, fouled plugs, dirty air filter, gunked up throttle body, etc. then those areas should be addressed.
As you were advised, Anders has extensive postings re the V6 so some research on your part could be educational. I only owned the V6 for a few months so I am not in a position to pass judgement on it but from what I have read it is a good engine if treated properly.
posted by 65.173.2...
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